4.0s, 400HP Jaguar I-PACE Concept – Design Analysis: Is It Sexy?

The Jaguar I-Pace has a hard name to overcome. And when it was first shown in silver, it had a mountain to climb for good style, too. Too generic EV, they said.

FastForward two months and the I-Pace is back in striking red paint with dark details. More fitting, perhaps, for the first credible Model X rival.

Going full electric for the i-pace means the proportions are radically rethought. Yes, this is crossover territory, but with a chopped (and hard to digest) nose and nonexistent overhangs. A lower roof and much lower ride height than F-Pace. But looking wide as XJ and quite short. Curious, indeed. It is a fine line between crossovers, tall wagons and jacked-up hatchbacks. Let's be generous and call this a low-roof crossover.

Best to take a closer look before rushing to judgement on the i_pace, then?

Hopefully we'll be able to type it rapidly by the time the car arrives in showrooms mid-2018. It is a sure thing for the US market, with initial launch volume sent straight to California.

Will it be any good, and anywhere near as good as Tesla's are versus Priuses? (Yes, there is a huge gap..)

We hope so. The performance with 700 pound-feet of torque and 350-mile range sounds exciting. A giant 90 KwH battery pack is tucked into that widetrack chassis.

Here are 70 photos of the I-PACE to help us make up our minds on the most important question. Is it sexy?

Our conclusion after spending time editing each angle?

It IS SEXY!

If you were driving this on the road today it would get more looks than a flaming, neon Lambo.

On to this future Jag!

Counterpoint?

The nose from dead ahead seems to be I-Pace's biggest weakness. It just looks awkward.

And the name. Dear God, the name.

Fix those two things and we're golden.

Jaguar I-PACE Concept

JAGUAR I-PACE - THE FUTURE OF ELECTRIC MOTORING HITS THE STREETS

Jaguar I-PACE Concept driven on the streets of London for the first time

Jaguar’s first electric vehicle - the I-PACE – will be launched in 2018

15 February 2017, Whitley, UK. Jaguar has unleashed its first electric vehicle – the Jaguar I-PACE – onto the streets for the first time.

Driving on the streets of London’s famous Olympic Park, the electric performance SUV concept previews Jaguar’s first electric vehicle, the Jaguar I-PACE, which will be revealed in late 2017 and will be on the road in the second half of 2018.

“The feedback on the I-PACE Concept has been fantastic. With the I-PACE Concept we’ve torn up the rule book to create a vehicle with supercar inspired aesthetics, sports car performance and SUV space, in one electric package. It has surprised people and the enthusiasm for our first electric vehicle has been beyond all my expectations.

“Driving the concept on the streets is really important for the design team. It’s very special to put the car outside and in the real-world. You can see the true value of the I-PACE’s dramatic silhouette and powerful proportions when you see it on the road, against other cars. The I-PACE Concept represents the next generation of battery electric vehicle design. For me, the future of motoring has arrived.”

Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar

The I-PACE will be a long distance sprinter that accelerates to 60 mph in around 4 seconds, with a range of more than 500km (NEDC cycle) from the 90kWh lithium-ion battery. Charging is easy and quick, with 80 per cent charge achieved in just 90 minutes using 50kW DC charging.

Compact, lightweight electric motors at the front and rear axles generate a combined output of 400PS and 700Nm of torque, with the all-weather benefits of all-wheel drive. The I-PACE will also deliver the agility, ride comfort and refinement that will set it apart from all other electric vehicles: it will be a true Jaguar and a true drivers’ car.

To be one of the first owners go to www.jaguar.com and click the ‘I want one’ button

About The Author

Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly expanding automotive news magazine.He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.